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HomeMy WebLinkAbout040714CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING OF APRIL 7, 2014 CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Port Townsend City Council met in regular session on April 7, 2014 in the Council Chambers at 540 Water Street. Mayor David King called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. ROLL CALL Councilmembers present at roll call were Robert Gray, David King, Kris Nelson, Catharine Robinson, Michelle Sandoval, Deborah Stinson, and Pamela Adams. Staff members present were City Manager David Timmons, City Attorney John Watts, Public Works Director Ken Clow, Community Services Director Rick Sepler, Interim Library Director Bev Shelton, and Deputy City Clerk Joanna Sanders. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA Item C (Authorization to Execute a Memorandum of Agreement with the Port Townsend School District Community Collaboration -- School and Public Libraries) was moved from the Consent Agenda to Unfinished Business and a letter of support was added under the Presiding Officer report. SPECIAL PRESENTATION: Clean Water District Presentation - Jared Keefer Michael Dawson of the Jefferson County Environmental Health Department provided a Clean Water District activities report. He spoke about the Water District's efforts which focus on stream monitoring to meet water quality standards. He noted that recommendations are before the Board of County Commissioners to support activities and programs including finding sustainable financial resources and supporting the production of a clean water district plan. He responded to several questions about how Jefferson County compares with other counties; about testing in urban versus rural (sewer versus septic); whether data from 2013 versus 2008 are the result of further degradation or better testing, and causes of toxic algae blooms. Environmental Health Director Jared Keefer reviewed the recent revisions to the ordinance of proposed district fees currently before the County Commissioners, including exemptions for parcels in the City served by sanitary City Council Business Meeting April 7, 2014 Page 1 of 6 sewer. Mr. Keefer responded to questions about increased fees for shoreline living and tiered fees depending on the type of property (vacant, no connected to sewer, etc.). There were also questions about enforcement, outreach and education. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Public comment Earl[ Murman announced Second Sunday Swims. He distributed flyers on free community swims sponsored by community partners. City staff response There was none. CONSENT AGENDA Approval of Bills, Claims and Warrants Vouchers 123054 through 123055 in the amount of $4,682.05 Vouchers 123056 through 123134 in the amount of $154,276.24 Vouchers 123135 through 123142 in the amount of $265,353.77 Vouchers 122935 through 122971 in the amount of $50,708.29 Vouchers 122972 through 123045 in the amount of $197,356.67 Electronic Funds Transfer in the amount of $29,975.90 Vouchers 123046 through 123053 in the amount of $72,072.33 Approval of Minutes: March 10, 2014; March 17, 2014 PUBLIC HEARING - NONE UNFINISHED BUSINESS Contract Authorization with HDR to provide engineering services for the 2014 Water System Plan Update Public Works Director Ken Clow gave the report, including Staffs recommendation for Council to authorize HDR to prepare a three-year water system plan. There was no public comment. Questions from Council were about growth rates in the Department of Health notes and about the budget available for this plan. Mr. Clow noted that while City Council Business Meeting April 7, 2014 Page 2 of 6 the Department of Health notes say that the City has not made significant improvements, City Lake improvements were significant. Motion: Catharine Robinson moved to approve authorizing a contract with HDR to provide engineering services for the 2014 Water System Plan Update with a budget not to exceed $25, 000. Michelle Sandoval seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. Resolution No. 14-008 authorizing the City Manager to sign an Agreed Notice of Correction with the Washington Department of Health allowing the City of Port Townsend to work toward full compliance with the LT2ESWTR without further enforcement action by the Department. City Manager David Timmons reviewed that this is an interim agreement to keep the City's water system in compliance until the proposed City water filtration treatment facility is pilot tested, designed, and constructed. He complimented Mr. Clow and Ian Jablonski on their negotiation of reasonable terms. They also met to discuss the USDA grant for which the City is eligible. A financing plan would be brought back to Council for discussion in a workshop. There was no public comment. Mr. Clow responded to Council questions about agreement negotiations, inspection requirements, public information flyer information, maintaining compliance, and watershed controls. He agreed to provide attachments referred to but not included in the packet. There was also a question whether staffing is adequate to comply with the requirement, which Mr. Clow concurred. In response to whether this agreement should mention the Mill, Mr. Timmons noted that the City is the responsible party and would need to talk with Port Townsend Paper Corporation. Motion. Catharine Robinson moved to approve Resolution 14-008 authorizing the City Manager to sign an Agreed Notice of Correction with the Washington Department of Health allowing the City of Port Townsend to work toward full compliance with the LT2ESWTR without further enforcement action by the Department. Robert Gray seconded. Vote. motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. Authorization to Execute a Memorandum of Agreement with the Port Townsend School District Community Collaboration (School and Public Libraries) Mr. Timmons noted this agreement is for the second phase of the project and sets forth the roles and responsibilities of the parties. Council action would allow him to execute a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the City and the School District in connection with their community collaboration project for their respective libraries. There were several concerns about the City Council Business Meeting April 7, 2014 Page 3 of 6 agreement language (the negativity in recitals, redundancies, and no mention of mediation before litigation). City Attorney John Watts noted that this is the agreement provided by the consultant working for the collaborative. There was interest in seeing what revisions might be proposed by the school district before considering authorization. Council agreed to forward any proposed revisions to the City Attorney for inclusion. NEW BUSINESS Resolution 14-009 adopting the City Council Three -Year Strategic Plan for the City of Port Townsend. Mr. Timmons noted that once approved, the plan would be communicated to various City boards and committees and then be updated by Council annually as part of the budget. He responded to questions and noted that the blanks are for the dates of adoption. There was significant discussion about the plan document and some proposed changes. There was support for changing the vision statement to "a diverse community primed for social, environmental, and economic vibrancy." There was also some concern about the lack of public participation in this planning process. It was noted that the comprehensive plan process is shown as one of Council's main listed objectives and is the largest process for collecting citizen input on priorities. There was significant discussion about possible revisions reflecting continued support of Fort Worden and our tourist economy through the work of the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee. Rather than amending the planning document, Council supported instead adding another recital to the resolution recognizing that this is not a complete list/plan, but is a priority list based on staff/Council time. Addison Winslow encouraged Council to draw more people into its three- year plan. He liked the change to the vision statement. Motion: Michelle Sandoval moved to approve Resolution 14-009 adopting the City Council Three -Year Strategic Plan for the City of Port Townsend. Deborah Stinson seconded. Vote: motion carried, 6-1 by voice vote, Robert Gray opposed. Ordinance 3106 amending PTMC Chapter 3.46 relating to purchasing and contracting. Mr. Timmons explained the intent with this ordinance is to bring the City Manager spending authority limits in line with state law. Mr. Wafts noted tracked changes were not reflected in printed versions as it was intended. He reviewed the housekeeping changes and noted the City Manager recommends referring the purchasing policies to the Finance and Budget Committee for review. Mr. Wafts then explained "single trade" and "single craft." City Council Business Meeting April 7, 2014 Page 4 of 6 There was no public comment. Motion: Michelle Sandoval moved to approve first reading of Ordinance 3106 amending PTMC Chapter 3.46 relating to purchasing and contracting. Kris Nelson seconded. Vote: motion carried unanimously, 7-0 by voice vote. PRESIDING OFFICER'S REPORT Mr. King asked for Council approval to sign a Jefferson Higher Education Committee letter of support for an educational needs assessment in Port Townsend. There were no objections. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT Mr. Timmons noted upcoming meeting topics: April 14 Council workshop on the Comprehensive plan Process and Review of Capital Projects. April 28 Council Special Meeting for capital project authorizations. SUGGESTIONS FOR NEXT OR FUTURE AGENDA, REGULAR MEETING AND/OR STUDY SESSION Ms. Adams noted that the Olympic Regional Clean Air Agency (ORCAA) is removing a monitoring site in Port Angeles. She proposed asking if there could be additional monitoring in Port Townsend closer to the Port Townsend Paper Corporation. Mr. Timmons agreed to investigate ORCAA's plans. Ms. Stinson asked to add emergency preparedness to the list of upcoming Council items. She also announced receipt of a grant from the EPA National Estuary Program (administered by the Washington State Departments of Commerce and Ecology) through the North Olympic Peninsula Resource Development Council. Mr. Gray suggested future Council discussion of the Port Townsend Business park maintenance. Mr. Timmons recommended follow-up action and scheduling a meeting with businesses in that location. Ms. Sandoval strongly urged reconvening the Community Development and Land Use Committee on the topic of Transient Accommodations. She also noted Ms. Stinson would be representing the City and making a presentation on Local Investment Opportunities Network (LION) at the Main Street Revitalization Conference. There were none. COMMENTS FROM COUNCIL ADJOURN City Council Business Meeting April 7, 2014 Page 5 of 6 There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:28 p,m. Attest: Pamela Kolacy, City Clerk NIT116, City Council Business Meeting April 7, 2014 Page 6 of 6